Senator Diane Allen (R-7), a member of the Senate Education Committee, commended the New Jersey Association of Colleges and Universities for holding a press conference today to build awareness of how state colleges and universities are becoming increasingly unaffordable for New Jersey residents.
“A true test of the wisdom of a people is their commitment to the education of their children,” Allen stated. “We must ensure our children have as many educational opportunities as possible. Offering higher education at a reasonable cost is part of that responsibility.”
New Jersey’s fiscal 2009 budget slashes funding for higher education by 3.4 percent. Tuition is expected to increase from 5 percent to 9 percent at tax-supported colleges and universities. Rutgers recently announced raised tuition by 8.5 percent in order to offset state cuts.
The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities cited a recent report that placed New Jersey 46th in education appropriations per student with a 21 percent decline in funding between 2002 and 2007. These cuts came as the total state budget rose more than 50% to $33 billion.
“Governor Corzine has put higher education on the back burner and cut funding while boosting spending on other programs. As a result, students trying to work their way through state schools are dropping out, reducing their earnings power and career options. Businesses must recruit from a smaller pool of educated workers. It’s clear these shortsighted cuts will hurt the long-term economic well being of the entire state. Those who support the Governor’s cuts’ do not support New Jersey’s college students or their families.”
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April 11, 2011
